Cane-harvesting machine



R. A. MAYER.y CANE HARVESTING MIIHIII'.-

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3|, I9I9.

Patented Sept.- 27, 1921.

7 SHEETS-SHEET I.

R. A. MAYER. CANE HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 31,1919.

PatentdSept. 27, 1921.

1 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

-- 1` I mwntoz mfg/m am,

Rl Al CANE HARVESTING MACHINE.

l APPLICATION FILED MAR. 3l. 1919. 1,392,258. PatentedSept. 27, 1921 7 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

R. A. MAYER.

CANE HARVESTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED Mlm. 3l, 1919.

1,392,258. l mmsept. 27,1921.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

R. A. MAYER.

CANE HARVESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.3|. 1919.

1,392,258, [l y Patentedsept.27,1921.

7 SHEETS-SHEET gg nwntoz @Wn/neg a 2/ E 2f wif/manco a. MAYER. CANE may/asma MACHINE.

I APPLCATON FILED MAR. 3|, 1919A 1,392,258. Patentedsept.` 27, 1921.

@Het 11mg H. A. MAYER.

CANE HARVESTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. s1. 1919.

1,392,258. PatentedSept. 27, 1921.

1 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

5mm/who@ UNITED PATENT omer..

minoren A. MAYlfimoF PECAN IsLANnLoIsIANA.

CANE-iARVEsTING MACHINE.

To aZZwhof/n. it mag/concern:

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH a citizen ofthe United States, residing` at Pecan Island, in the parish of Vermilion and State of Louisiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in vCane-Harvesting Machines, Yof which the following is ,ay specification.' n.

This invention relates to sugar-'cane harvesters of that general class or typewhich are used for. cutting thecane 'a shortdistance. above the ground and'ior .removing the tops, at a single operation.

One object of the invention 1s to produce an organized machine of simpleand im-y proved construction whereby vthe canes 'will `be gathered, the incoming canes passlng 1n engagement with a conveying device Wheref by the canes are vcarried in an upright position in engagement Iwith cutting apparatus.

whereby the tops will be'` detached additional cuttingI apparatus being provideda'it desired, whereby short lengths of cane may be detached below` the topsto serve as set-A tings. v v

A further object of the invention is`4 to I produce a simple and improved construc-` tion whereby. canes of different lengths will be handled. in such a fashion that only the top y ywill be detached without wasting any y valuable .portion of the cane.

of the; parts in Furtherobjects of the fnvention are to simplify and improve the parts enterin into the "constructionof themachine anda 'so to provide a construction whereby radjustment f when "desired:

ticularly-poilited out inthe claims'll'..

with theseandethr @has ifi; .ide that' -vvillr readily appear as the 'nature osthe .in. lvention is bettermderstood they 'samecon "sists inthe improved construction yand novel y arrangement and combination of" arts which l will be hereinafterv fully described `fand par- In" the ccompanyi-,ng drawlngs'i. has' y y simlejand preferred formfoffi the invention, itvl that noliiiitation eing, however, understood is necessarily made to the Erecisefstructural details therein exhibited, 5.0i. "tions: within the scope fof the vclaixfnsxnay ut 'that changes, `alterations and modificahe resorted to when desired.

. `In the drawings: g Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

',Specicationof Letters Patent.

Patented sept. 27, 1921'.A

applicati@ inea4 Maron si. 1919. semina. 286,543.

l 2 is a top plan-view.

` Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectionalv view taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1. j Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 4 4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view taken on the line 5T5l in Fig. 3. v

F1g.6 1s a sectional 'detail view taken through one of the gathering arms'.

fl- ;Fig. 7 isa sectional detail view taken on the line 7-7 in Fig. 6.,#

Fig.` 8Iis asectional detail view taken-(on..- 'l

the l1ne 8-8 in'Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is af'jsectional detail view take through one of the rotary .cutters `that are/ used for severing thev cane from the ground, and related parts. 1.;-

ing different `forms of the rotaryfcutter.

F 1g'. 12 isa transverse sectional view taken on the line1212 in Fig. 1, the strippers being omitted.

Fig. 13 is a sectional detail View taken on theiine 13-13 in Fig. 1.

' Fig. 14 is a sectionaldetail View taken von Fig. 15 is a detail plan view of portions of the coperating chains constituting the cane conveyer.

Figs. 10 and 11 are detail plan views hav-I l 75 Fig.`16 is a detail plan View showing por qFig. 17 is a sectional detail view takenonthe line 17-17 in Fig. 1, showing aportion of lthe stripping mechanism.

Fig. 18 is a sectional detail view, enlarged, of one of the strippers.

Fig. 19 is a sectional detail view ofione of. fthe end supports for. theadjustable frame bar.

20-20 in Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a detail View'partly elevation .the line -22--22 in Fig. 21.

i Corres on lng@- 4rts in the severaligures that theframe structure be composed o fv two side members which are'connected together f 'andspa'ced apartk in sucha manner-'as to Fig. 20 is a' sectional view taken on the line and partly in section showin-'ga portion of y i i -..the reel-.'andfrelated parts..- 2;

. Fi 22 is a sectional detail view taken onv l tions of two 'of the auxiliary conveyerchains.

permit thecane topass through the mahine in a substantially standing or upright nasi.'

tion without interference by the frame memy bers or the mechanism mounted thereon. In

the present instance it is furthermore desired to so connect the side members of the frame that the distance or s ace therebetween may be varied. With this end in view the frame of the improved machine is composed of side members A-A, each ofsaid side members comprising two beams or sills .15 which are permanently connected lt0- gether and spaced' apart in any convenient manner. As best seen' in Fig. 3 the sills 15 of each side member have been shown as being connected together by, lates 16, 17, said plates bein bolted, rivete or otherwise secured. on t e sills which latter have been shown as being composed of structural iron or steel.- The front and rear plates 16, 17,

have been suitably spaced apart to make room for the rear wheels 18 which are mounted cn the axles 19, the wheels being driven by transmission chains 20 from a motor driven shaft 21. The means for transmitting wer from the motor driven shaft to the 'riving wheels includesk clutches of well known construction or other well known -means whereby the motion ma 4vbe interrupted and regulated at will. 'Bie axles 19 are supported in pillow blocks 22, best seen in 'Fi 1.

Each ofthe side members A carries an angular bracket 23, Figs. 4 and 5, each of said brackets including a horizontal plate 24, said plates 24 being arranged in overlapping relation, and said plates bein `firml connected together 'by means of bo trs-25v or the passage of which one of said brackets 'is provided with numerous apertures 26, thus enabling the said plates to be secured together at various adjustments, thus enabling the side members Ass-Ato be variously spaced apart. The side frame members A aswell as the brackets 23 including thefhorizontal plates 24 are to be of strong and -massive construction; sufficiently so to enable them to support the superposed machinery withl the frame structure are supported on steers.

lout danger of sagging orybreaking, ,it being remembered-thatthe brackets 23 constitute the principal means vfor connecting together and spacinggapart the side members of' the.

frame structure. The motor B from which power is derived for drivingthe machine and its movingparts is mountedmn thefuppermost plate 24; said'motonsmayzbeofany desired type; usually an ini'fi'iial`| com busfgv tion motor of approved construction.

, The forward ends ofA he side members of ingwheels 27, said wheels being mountedon steering knuckles 28 having arms 29 whichA are connected together by a steering rod .i vwhich is of telescopic construction, said rodY including a tubular member 30 in which'av rod 31 telescopes, said rodbeing capable of being secured by a setl screw32. The

redis-thus capable of being adjusted with respect to the length thereof whenthe side members of the frame are va.- riously ced, as hereinbefore described. The steering' rod is connected by a rod or link 33 with an arm 34 that extends radially from a shaft 35 having a worm gear 36 meshing with a wo'rm 37 on a steering rod 38 by the rotation of which the machine may be steered. 'n

The superstructure of the frame includes uprights 39, 40 risin from the rear and .front ends respective y of the frame and For the purpose of enabling the front end of the frame structure to be raised or low- 'ered with respect to the ground the knuckles lon which the steering wheels 27' are supported for rotation are mounted on and carried b rack bars one of which is clearly seen at 43 in Fig. 1, said rack bar being arranged for vertical slidable movement in a keeper 44 secured on one of the side members of the frame structure. A vertical shaft 45 having a hand `wheel 46 also carries a worm .47 that meshes with the rack bar 43 which latter, by rotation of the shaft 45, may be raised or lowered, thereby eiectin the desired vertical adjustment of the fgront end oi the frame structure.

Mounted on the inclined frame member 40.fofthe su erstructure at each .side fof the frame is a slide 48 for which suitable guides l49 areiprovidedsee Figs `6,;7 and 8,., The slide is adjustable lengthwise of the lframe member 40 byr means of a screw threaded rod 50 havingjethreaded engagement with the slide, said'rofd being supported for rotation in bearings 51;, and said rod is connected by intermeshingbevel gears 52, 53 with ashaft "5jfor the a ball' 57 carried by a--housing or casing 58 which constitutes one "f off-the gatheril'ig arms of the machine there 4beingone such housing atv each side of the frame structure. For the purpose ofsecur-V ing Vthe ball -57in adjusted position in the socket'56.;.t he latter is providedl with set screws l58' which may be tightened `against the-*ball .at diametrically opposite sides pable of being adjusted lengthwise with relll thereof; It will be vseen that by this construction the gathering arm is not only can" 'y may be spect to the inclined frame member 40, such adjustment being in effect a vertical as well as 'a longitudinal adjustment owing to the inclined position of the frame member 40, but having been thus adjusted it is furthermore capable of being universally adjusted in a vertical as well as in a horizontal plane owing to the ball and socket connection of the housing 58 with the slide 48. As it is not desirable to depend entirely on the set screws 58for retalning the gathering arm in adjusted position with respect to` the socket member 56 there is provided an additional holding means comprising sockets 59, 60 mounted respectively on the housing of the gathering arm,` and on the frame member 41 at each side of the machine, said sockets receiving balls 61, 62 associated with telescopic rods 63, 64, the rod 63 being of tubular formation permitting the rod 64 to telescope therein and to be retained in adjusted position by a set screw 65. obvious thaty this holding or retaining device will adapt itself to any position adjacent to the gathering arm at each side of the frame structure, said gathering armsbeing thereby retained with sufficient stability to enable them to function in the customary manner for the gathering of incoming stalks ,30 or canes, especially when the latter are in ang way deflected froman upright position. upported by the means shown for rotation within each of the housings or casings 58 of the respective gathering arms, and near thekv lower and upper. ends thereof respectively, are sprocket wheels 66, 67, said' sprocket wheels. being arranged in planes substantially atright angles to one another.

f Other sprocket wheels 68, 69 are supported b the means -shown in intermediate posiythatfa chain 70 trained over the several sprocket wheels willlhave one end thereof disposed in' av plane; substantially `at, right angles tothe otherend.y The links of the lahain, orsome of said links, are provided with'outwardlyextending'pins or prongs 71 j u j slots `72 ofspiral formation. The lower Lrear parts ,of thelhousingsmay .*beopenfas best seen in "Fig.'6, so -as notv to the properdirection, the: pins .or .prongs 71will engage especially suchy X ,stalks or' canesl as have become deie'cted from an upright j l Vlift then-samedis() that `they will pass properly fpresentl' lmore fullyldescribed. The chains Lacasse It is tions between thesprocket wheels 66, 67 sov journaled for rotation in .arms 84 connected yl `,tongues 87 formed on the secondary slides. pT-helSecondary slidesare provided with upposition and will' tend' to j 'machine by ,l means of s rin iii lengagement with Fthegatheringand; con-f g I veyin'g device of thenachlne ,j which will be driven by, fleXible-shafting 7 3 which j y'has beenr shown as being applied preferably' u t'othe shafts carrying the sprocket wheels 69 f l but which may be equally well applied to v,other sprockets over vwhich chains are trained, the flexible shafts 73 deriving motion from shafts 74 with which they are koperatively connected and of which further of the chains 70, afterserving the purpose lof lifting the tilted ,or falling stalks or canes and carrying the same rearwardly between the sides of the frame structure, will automatically disengage themselves from the canes or stalks, such-disengagement being due to the spiral course taken by the chains 7 0 and to the spiral formation of the slots 72 through which the pins or prongs are guided.

The forwardly tilted frame members 39 of the superstructurel are disposed substantially in parallel relation to the brace mem bers 4 2 and said frame members and braces are utilized as supports for shafts over which `the endless chains constituting the principal conveying device of the machine are trained. "The front shafts which are supported on the brace `members 42 are designated by 75 and. the'rear shafts which are supported on the brace members 39 are designated by 76. The front and rear shafts are supported in such a manner as to be adjustable in various directions and the construction being identical, the description of one will apply to all.

Referring then to Fig. 13 which shows one of the frame members 39 and one o f the shafts 7 6, the said frame member is equipped with top and bottom slides 77, 78 each of which is vertically adjustable by means of fastening memberssuch as bolts 79 engaging slots 80 in the frame member 39. Each of the slides 77, 7 Scarries a secondary slide 81 which is transverselyadjustable by means ofa screw threaded rod 82 having a crank or handle 83, said screw threaded rod being with: and forming part of the respective slides 77, 78. The arms 84 of each of thev primary slidesareconnected b a cross bar 85and-said cross bars and slldes are provided withv guide grooves 86 engaged by 115 wardlyfextending arms 88 in which rods 89 vare,'slid'ablysupported, said ,rods haying l j-bearing e `members '90 pivotally` connected iztherewith by` pins or pivot members 91. 1

The rods 89-ar'e lactuated in an inwfarddirection` with' respect to the frame structure 'of the s 92 abutting a ainst collars'93 on sai. ro j AThe shafts 75 and/76 which are supported 125 for rotation in the respective bearing :mem-l bers -90 maybe-adjusted vertically and laterally`v .withv 'respect tothe frame lmembers 42 and 39 `respectivel -said shafts being provided with collars 4 resting on the top 130 tion at 103.

bearing members 90. The upper and lower ends of the respective shafts are also free to move outwardly against the tension of the respectivel springs 92. Each of the shafts 7 5 and 76 is equipped with top and bottom sprocket wheels 95,96 and with intermediate sprocket wheels 9.7. Conveyer chains 98 are` trained over the top and bottom sprocket wheels 95, 96 on the shafts at each side of the framevstructure, the links of said chains or some of said links being provided with outwardly extending prongs 99. Owing to the flexible mounting of the shafts, the conveyer chains at the two sides of the frame structure vwill not' only be spaced apart, but said chains will be resiliently forced in the direction of each other so that stalks or canes carried through the machine by the instrumentality of said chains will be securely clamped and held in an upright 'position and -will be also held against displacement lengthwise of the chains owing to the prongs with which the chain links are provided.

The hereinbefore mentionedshafts 74 at the front ends of the side members of the frace structure are equipped with sprocket wheels 100 that serve to support the forward ends of conveyer chains 101, said conveyer chains being also trained over the intermediate sprockets 97 on the respective shafts 75 and 76. It will thus be seen that the intermediate conveyer chains 101 extend materially in a forward directionwith respect to the chains 98 that are trained over the top and bottom sprockets 95, 96, on the respective shafts 75 and 7 6. Conveyer chains 101.are of special construction, as best seen in Fig.. 15, the links of saidchainsbeing provided with bristles 102 of wire or other sufficiently stili and flexible material, said bristles, being trimmed topresent triangular appearance, clearly illustrated in Fig. 15, so that the bristles associated with-the links on the inner stretches of the respective chains r101 will be disp/sed in staggered and .interengagingrelatiom this construction having been 4found extremely suitable and useful for i taking afirm hold on the incoming stalks or canes one of which may be seen in cross sec- Each of' the rearward shafts 76 has a downward .extension 104 of non-circular crosssection said extension being in engagement. 'with a bearing sleeve or bushing 105 v supported in the lowermost bearing member 9.0. An additional support for the non-cir` .cii'lar extension 104 is afforded by al bearing "sleeve or bushing 106 su ported for rotation ina bearing member 10;?) which is pivotally connected with a rod 108 slidable in a socket 109 in an arm 110 extending from the frame member 39."` The bearing sleeves or bushings 105, 106 are equipped with collars 111 whereby they are properly retained in their respective bearing members and the sleeve or bushing 106 carries a bevel gear 112 meshing with a bevel pinion 113 on a countershaft 114, said pinion 113being held in engagel ment with the bevel gear 112 by the action of a spring 115 on the c0untershaft-114 with which the pinion 113' is slidably connected tion. will be transmitted to the conve er chains 98 and 101. It is alsoobvious t at when the vertical adjustment of the shafts 76 is effected, the non-circular extensions of said shafts will remain in engagement with l the sleeves or bushings 105, 106 which latter I are positively driven through the medium of the interengagingbevel gears 112, 113.

Each side member of the frame of ,the

machine is provided with a bracket 11'?,A

Figs. 3 and 9, having upper and lower arms 118,119 in which hubs or bushings 120, 121

are supported for rotation. The bushing 120 carries a bevel gear 12,2. The Abushing 121 is internally threaded for the passage of an externally threaded lsleeve 123. bushing 121 is also provided with a hand wheel 124 whereby the bushing may be rotated. Extending through the bevel gear 122, bushing120 and .sleeve 123 is a nonci'rcular shaft 125 carr ing atits lower end a circular cutter 126. aid shaft also is provided with a sto collar 127 which engages the upper end o the.-sleeve- 123, the lower end of said sleeve beingl engaged by the hub 128 of the cutter 126. It-follows that by rotation of the handwheel 124 thel sleeve 123 together -with .the cutter carrying shaft vmay be raised or lowered without disconnecting vit from the 4bevel means of which the cutter is driven from the sourcev of'power.` The'cutter 126 at one side of the machine is to be overlapped by the cutter at the otherlside of the machine so The gear 122 by i that together they will exercise a shearing l action on the incoming stalksycr canes which will thus be severed the desired distance above the ground. b the cutters having been previously ad1uste so as to cut the stalks orcanes; as close to the ground as may be desired. @11n Flgs. 9 and 11 a circular cutter g;

" saw toothed cutter may be used in connection with eachother when so desired. Each of the ,cutters is driven through the medium of a shaft 129 which is driven from the motor by suitable transmission means which it is not necessary to describe in detail. The forward end of each shaft 129 transmits motion through a chain 130 to a shaft 131 having a bevel pinion 132 meshing with the lpggel pinion 122 on the cutter carrying shaft Special bearings or supports are provided for the shafts 74 carrying the sprocket wheels 100 over which the forward ends of the special conveyer chains 101 are trained. Each of said bearings Acomprises a tubular socket member I 133, Fig. .3, pivoted on an arm or bracket 134 andhaving connected therewith a pivoted arm 135 which engages a socket member 136 pivoted on the frame of the machine and having a set screw 137 whereby the arm 135 may be secured at various adjustments. Engaging the socket member' 133 is a rod 138 having a collar 139'between which and the forward end of the socket member 133 a spring 1'40 is interposed whereby the rod 138 is forcibly projected in a forward direc- 101 always under proper tension.

justment of the parts the forward ends of, `the inner stretches of the respective chains 101may be spaced variously apart and may be adjusted so as to form a V-sha-ped gap or mouth, indicated clearly at142 i-n Fig. of the drawings, which will greatly facilitate lthe reception between the inner stretches of the conveyer chains 101 of the incoming stalks or canes. This is regarded as animportant feature of the invention and it is to bel understood that while a simple and preferred construction has been shown whereby the desired adjustment of the chains may beeffected and the chains still be held under proper tension, no limitation is made to the precise construction herein shown.

The front member 40 of the 'superstructure of the frame at one side of the machine and the upright 39 of the' superstructure at at the other side of the machine are utilized to support an obliquely disposed upwardly Y and rearwardly tilted frame-bar 143 which in turn, is utilized to support the reel an the cutting apparatus whereby the stalks or provided at its forvcanes are topped and whereby, if desired,

short piecesare cut fromthe canes below the tops to be utilized as settings fora subsequent crop. `It is essential that the front and rear ends of the frame bar 143 be mounted or supported in such a manner as to be independently adjustable, vertically as well as laterally, and with this end in 'View the supporting means which will now be more particularly described havel been adopted.

The frame member 40 carries a bracket 144 a portion of which has beenv clearly shown in F I19 and2v0. 145 is a socket having a screw threaded stem 146 which is adjustable in a slot 147rr in the bracket member 144, said stem being provided with clamped nuts 148 whereby the socket may be secured at the desired adjustment. Mounted in the socket 145 .is a ball 149 having a screw threaded stem' 150 that engages a slot 151 in one side of an arcuate frame 152, the

`rectangular shape to receive the front end of the framezbar 143. J

The frame member 39 diagonall opposite to the frame member 40 carrying t e bracket 144 is provided with .a re'arwaidlyextending arm 155 on which is supported a transversely movable slide 156 which may be securedin adjusted position by means of a set screw 157. The slide 156 hd an upwardly extending arm 158 carryi g a slotted bracket 159 with which the rearward end of the frame bar 143 isv adjustably connected by means of a nut 160 that en ages a screw threaded stem 161 with which the frame4 bar is provided. Y The 4frame p L`shaped brackets :162, one of which apears in Figs. 21 and 22, each ofsaid brackets having a slot 163 in which a'bearing' sleeve 164 is adjustably secured by means of a clamping nut 165. The bearings 164 serve to support a shaft 166 carrying a reel which as shown in Fig.. 22 may include at each end a head 167 ,j said heads being connected together and spaced apart by lon itudinal bars 168, said bars having been s own in Fig 22 as being provide with cutting edges 169. In F1 23 reel bars here designated by 170 ave vbeen shown which are spaced apart and not provided with cutting edges. In Fig. 24 the reel bars here desi ated by 171 are surrounded by a cylin rical cover 172 of sheet j metal or other suitable material. Under the construction shown in Fig. 25 the bars areA omitted and the reel, lhas been shown .as bein composed of a cylinder 173 bar 143 is provided with made of meta and having alongitudinal slot or' opening 174 at one edge of which a cutting edge 175 is provided. The reel iso carrying shaft in each instance is intended-to be driven byv means of a lexible shaft, best seen in Fig. 21 at 176, said iiexi-l ble shaft ,beingl driven by Apower derived from the motor through "the medium of transmission means which it is not necessary to describe in detail but which includes a telescopic shaft 177 connected by a universal joint 178 with a shaft 179-from which motion is transmitted by intermeshing bevel gears 180, 181 to the shaft 182 with which the iiexible shaft is connected. The driven shaft 182 also carries a sprocket wheel 183 supporting an endless chain 184 which is also trained over an idle sprocket 185 supported near the forward end of the frame 189 are adjustably and `vdetachably connected. The arms 188.'support at their lower ends a iinger bar 190 of conventional construction and with which coperates a sickle bar 191, said sickle barbeing connected by a ball and socket joint -192 with one end of apitman 193 the other end of which is connected with a wrist pin 194' on a crank disk'195 which may be driven by means including a chain 196 by power derived from the motor. The arms 189` are utilized to support a stationary knife or cutting member 197 which, as seen in Fig. 22, is adapted to coperate with the cutting edges 169 ofthe reel bars 168. One of the cutting devices may be omitted when desired as will be the case vif the canes are only to be topped without detaching short pieces of settings therefrom.

' It is obvious thatthe cutter carryingv arms 188 and 189 are to be disposed ,adja-` cent to the upgoing side of the reel.' Ad-i justably connected with the-frame bar r 143 and extending' above the reel adjacent to the downgoing side thereof'area' pair of arms one of which is seenat 198 in Figs. 21 and 22,.each of said arms having a slot 199 engaged by a 'set screw 200 whereby the arm may be adjustably secured in osition. Each ofthe arms is bifurcated. at its Aouter end as showin` at 201, the limbs thereby produced serving to support 'a shield'for deiiec-4 tor 202 which extends lengthwise of the reel 1n proximity to the upper portion of the downgoing side thereof. Thisshield serves to guide the tops of the canes which are directly. engaged by the prongs 186 of theV chain 184, the latter serving in conjunction with the conveyer chains 98 and 101 to convey the canes through the machine.

A suitably constructed and driven elevator 203 is connected with the rearward part of the frame of the machine t0 receive the canes that have been topped and otherwise treated when said canes are discharged, the elevator serving to convey said canes to. a receptacle such as the box of a wagon trailing the machine. v

For the purpose of stripping the leaves from the stalks or canes, stripping devices have been provided Iwhich may be arranged at any convenientpoint but which have been shown as being located near the rearward part of the frame structure. The stripping devices comprise heads 204 which are mounted for, rotation in obliquely disposed frame bars 205 carried by Aarms 206 which are integral with the sides 81 as seen in Figs. 13 and 14. The heads 204 are equipped with resilient fingers 208 which extend obliquely in the direction of each other so as to overlap, as clearly seen in Fig. 17, ,the oblique disposition of the heads and the fingers serving to greatly facilitate the passage of the stalks therebetween and also to insure that the leaves will be detached ,from all sides of thestalks. The rotary heads 204 are provided with spindles 209 on which sprocket wheels 210 are mounted. Chains 211 are trained over the sprocketwheels 210 so that the latter will all be driven in unison, thereby driving the strippers, when one o f said sprocket wheels is driven by means of a flexible shaft 212 which latter may receive motion from any convenient driven part of the machine, it being particularly understood that the manner of driving the movin partsof this machine may be greatly varie driving means having mainly been conventionally shown in the Aaccompanyin drawings, but detailed description thereo having been purposely omitted.

Supported by and connected with the superstructure of the frame in substantially parallel relation tothe axis of the-reel carrying shaft is a guide bar 213 having arms l 2141215 at its4 front and rear ends, each of said arms bein provided with a slot 216 for the passage o fastening members such as bolts or -screws 217 whereby the guide bar is adjustably mounted on the frame structure. It is intended that this guide bar lshall be supported in an approximately parallel-relation withtheshield or deflector 202 and at no vgreat distance from the latter.

In the operation `of this machine when it passes over the eld a row of stalks or canes will be engaged by the gathering arms and by prongs of the spirally dis osed gathering c ains housed within sai the prongs of which projlpctf through the spira slots 72 therein. T ese devices will serve to lift fallen and tilted stalks or canes and to. guide them into engagement with the conveyer chains 101 the orward end porarms and tions of which have'been s aced apart by the means herein describedp to produce a V-shaped gap or mouth 142. The stalks will be presently engaged betweenthe inner stretches of the conveyer' chains 98 which cooperate with the chains 101 to carry the stalks in a Slightly tilted position rearwardly and upwardly between the side members of the frame structure. The frame bar 14,3 and the -reel carried thereby are. disposed obliquely across the machine as heretofore clearly described and said framebar and reel are also tilted u/pwardly and rearwardly to a material extent. These features are of great and special importance. These members must be obliquely disposed in order that the incoming stalks maybe placed in engagement with the downgoing side of the reel. At the same time the deflector 202, the guide bar 213 and the endless conveyer chain184' are provided in order to guide the tops and to prevent said tops from being prematurely subjected to the action ofthe reel. The particular construction and arrangement of these parts of the machine has been resorted to in order that the tops of the stalks may notl be subjected to the action of the cutting device regardless of the length of the stalks, it being desired to remove only the tops, and possibly short pieces for settings, without wasting any of the useful portion of the cane. By the construction as herein described it will be seen that the tops 0f the very short stalks will first pass out of engagement with the deflector 202, such tops passing now in engagement with the reel.

f the reel is constructed as seen in Figs. 22 or 23, the topswill pass between proximate reel bars and will be thereby carried into engagement with the cutters 191, 197 if both of said cutters are used or with one of said cutters if only one is used, thereby causing the top to be severed at thedesired point, the

top being then free to drop from the reel as will be readily understood.v When two cutters are used a short piece suitable for a. setting will also be severed and dropped while the stalk continues its rearwardipassage. The tops of longer stalks will not be engaged by the'reel until such tops pass out of engagement with the deilector 202 `andrelated parts which, as described, are tilted upwardly and rearwardly so that, the longer the stalks or canes are, ythe nearer to the rearward end of the machine will they approach before the tops or the tops and settings are cut therefrom. The adjustability' of all the parts of the machine, as hereinbefore fully described, enables the parts of the machine to be arranged inthe most suitable and convenient position for successful operj ation asmay be dictated by thecondition of. the crop and thel precise-mannerin which it has been planted, which, as is well known,

varies vin different Acountries and localities.

The machine will, therefore, be adapted for harvesting cane successfully and without waste and also for cutting settings therefrom under all clrcumstances and conditions.

Having described the invention what I claim as new is:

1. In a machine of the class described, al fra-me structure comprising two side members and means wherebv said side members are'adjustably connected together, each side vmember being provided withl a ground wheel and a steering wheel, and each side member having an independent superstructure; in combination with a Eframe bar, obliquely disposed and connected at its Mfront end with the superstructure of one side member and at its rear end with the superstructure of the other side member of the frame.`

2. In a4 machine ofthe-class described, a frame structure including wheel supported sidel members, each havingasnperstructure j includingV an upwardly and rearwardly inclined front member, sockets mounted on said front members, gathering arms having balls seated in the sockets .and means for securing the gathering arms at various adjustments, sald means including telescopic ,extension members, 'means for securing the same at various relative adjustments and ball and socket joints whereby the telescopic extension members are terminally connected with the vgathering arms and the sniperstructure respectively. A

3. In a machine of the class described, a

frame structure including two wheel sup-l 'ported side members and means for connecting said side members in spaced relation, each side member having a superstructure including an upwardly and rearwardly tilted` front memberJ slides -sup orted on said front members, and means fdr adjusting the slides longitudinally of the front members, said slides having sockets formed therein, and gathering arms having balls engaging the sockets and means for securing the athering arms at various adjustments re ativelyI to the sockets and to the superstructure. c

4. In a machine ofthe class described, a

frame structure including side members` connected together in spaced relation and each having a superstructure, slides mounted on the respective superstructures, rods supported for rotation, said rods extending through the slides and threadedly connected therewith, means for rotating the rods, gathering arms jointedly connected with the slides, sprocket wheels'housed in lthe gathering arms, chains trained, over the sprocket wheels and havingprongs Vthat extend through the housings and means including flexible shafts for driving the chains.

5. In a `machine of the classv described, a

frame structure including wheel supported side members connected together in spaced relation, a bracket supported on each side member and having laterally extending upper and lower arms, bushings supported for rotation in the upper and lower arms, the upper bushing having a driving gear and the lower bushing having a hand wheel, said lower bushing being also' internally threaded, an externally threaded sleeve engaging the lower bushing and a non-circular shaft extending through said sleeve and through the upper bushing, said shaft carrying a rotary cutter at its lower end, the hub of which abuts on the lower end of the sleeve and said shaft having a stop collar engaging the upper end of the sleeve.

6. n a machine of the class described, a

i frame structure including wheel supported side members connected together in spaced relation, abracket supported on each side member and having laterally extending upper and lower arms, bushin s supported for rotation in the upper and YLlower arms, the upper bushing having a driving ear and the lower bushing having a hand w eel, said lower bushing 'bein also internallyV threaded, an externally t readed sleeve enga in the lower bushin and a non-circular sha extending throug said' sleeve and through the upper bushing, said shaft carrying a rotar cutter at its lower end, the hub of which abuts on the lower end of the sleeve and said shaft having a stop collar engaging the upper end of the sleeve; in combination with means for driving the cutter carrying shaft through the medium ofthe driving ear.

g 7. In a machine of the class described, a frame structure including wheel supported side members adjustably connected together and spaced apart, each side member having a superstructure including forwardly tilted rear members and brace members, slides mounted for vertical adjustment on said rear members and'brace members, secondary slides mounted for lateral adjustment on the vertically adjustable slides, shaftssupporting the caring members carried by the secondary slides, shafts supported in the bearing members and driven1 conveyer chains trained over the front and rear shafts supported on the superstructures of the respective side members of the frame.

-8 In a machineof the class described, a frame structure including wheel supported side members. adjustably connected together and spaced apart,

each side member having a superstructure including forwardly tilted rear members and brace members, slides mounted for vertical adjustment on saidrear members and brace members, secondaryslides mounted for lateral adjustment on the vertical] adjustable slides, shafts supporting the aring members carried by t e secondary slides, shafts supported in the beaning members and driven conveyer chains trained over the front and rear shafts supported on the superstructures of the respective side members of the frame, the shaft supporting bearing members including rods 'slidably associated with the secondary slides and springs whereby said rods are resiliently forced inwardly w1th respectl to the frame structure.

9. In a machine ofthe class described, aframe structure including wheel supported' spafd and adjustable side members, each having a superstructure, fron't and rear shafts carried by the respective superstructures, saidshafts being vertically and laterally ad'ustable and spring projected in an inwar direction, conveyer chains trained over said shafts and driving means for the same.

10. In a machine of class described, a frame structure including ls aced and ad- 11. n a machine of the class described, a

frame structure including s aced and adjustably connected side ymem ers, eachhaving a superstructure, sp ing projected membersA carried by the s perstructure, bearing members pivotally connected with the springA projected bearing' members, shafts tiltab y supported in the bearlng members, conveyer chains trained over the shafts and means for driving the same, the spring rojected bearing members being mounts on the superstructures for vertical and lateral adjustment with respect thereto.

12. In a machine of the class'described, a frame Astructure ,comprising spaced side members, each having a .su erstructure, front and --rear forwardly inc ined shafts carried by the respective superstructures conveyer chains trained over t e shafts and means for adjustin and for driving the conveyer chains, sai chains being u war'dly and rearwardly inclined.; in com ination with an' obliquel disposed driven lreel extending across t e interspace between the side members, and cuttin apparatus adjecent to the upgoing side o the reel..

13. In a machine of the class described, conveyin means includin pairs of spaced driven c ains, the oppose inner stretches of which constitute the conveyers, in combination with a reel extending obliquely above and across the conveymg means` side of the reel. v

14. In a machine of the class described, conveyin means comprising pairs of driven endless c ains, the inner opposed stretches ofv which coperate to form the conveyer, in combination with a driven reel extending obliquel above and across the conveyer, means or supporting the front and rear ends of the reel.y adjacent to the opposite sides of the conveyer, and cutting apparatus extending adjacent to the lower portion of the upgolng side o'f the reel in substantially parallel relation to the axis of the reel.

, 15.- In a machine ofthe class described,

conveying means comprising pairs of driven endless chains, the inner opposed stretches of which coperate to-form the conveyer, in

ing means including co-acting driven chains carried by the respective superstructures, an obliquely disposed frame bar having its front end connected with the superstructure of one side member and its rear end connected with the superstructure of the other side member, an obliquely disposed reel carried by said frame bar, means for driving the reel and cutting apparatus supported adjacent to the lower portion of the upgoing side of the reel, i

17. In a machine of the class described, a

frame structure including spaced side members, each having 'a superstructure, conveycarried by the respective superstructures, a frame bar extending obliquely across the frame structure, means for connecting the front end of` the frame bar with the front ber for vertical and lateral adjustment,

means for connecting the rear end of the frame bar with the v superstructure of the other sido member for vertical and lateral adjustment, a reel carried by the frame bar, means for driving the reel and cutting apparatus supported adjacent to the lower portion of the upgoing side of the reel.'

' 18. ,In' a machine of the class described, a frame structure including spaced'side members," each having a superstructure, conveyv ing means including co-acting driven chains carried by the respective superstructures, a frame bar extendlng obliquely across the 66 frame structure, means for connecting the v bearing members adj usta above and across the conveyer,l

ktion of the upgoing side of the reel.

ing means including co-acting driven chains end of the superstructure of one side memfront end of the frame bar lwith -the `front 4end of the supersturcture of one side member for vertical and lateral adjustment, means for connecting the rear end of the' frame bar with a superstructure of the other side member vfor vertical and lateral adjustment, angularbrackets carried by theframe bar, said bracketshaving horizontal slots',

lein said slots, a reel carrying shaft supported for rotation in the bearing members and means for driving said shaft.

19. In a machine of the class described, a frame structure including spaced side members,'each havin a superstructure, conveying means inclu mg co-acting idriven chains carried' by the respective superstructures, a frame bar extending `obliquely across the frame structure, meansfor *connecting the front end of the frame bar with .the front end of the superstructure of one side q n'ember for vertical and lateral adjustment, means` for connecting the-rear end of the ranie bar with the superstructure of the other side member vfor vertical and lateral 'lof sis

adjustment, 'a"driven reel adjustably supportedv by the frame bar and cutting apparatussupported adjacent to the lower por- 20. .Inv a machine of the class described, a 95 frame structure including spaced side members, each having a superstructure, conveying means including co-acting driven chains carried by the respective superstructures, a frame bar extendmg obliquely across the frame structure, means lfor connecting thel front end of the frame bar with the front end of the superstructure of one side member for vertical and lateralfadjustment, means for connecting the rear end of the frame bar with a superstructure of the other side inember for vertical and lateral adjustment, a driven reel adjustably supported by the frame bar and cutting apparatus supported adjacent to the lower portion of the upgoing side of the reel; in combination with ade- Hector adjustably supported adjacent to the upper portion of the downgoing side of the reel.

21. `In a machine of the class described, a frame structure including spaced side members, each havin a superstructure, conveying means inclu ing co-acting driven chains carried by the respective superstructures, a

frame bar extending obliquely across'the 120 l frame structure, means for connecting the front end of the frame bar with the front end of the superstructure of one side member for vertical and laterall adjustment,` means Afor connecting the rear end of the frame .bar with the superstructure of the other side .member for vertical and lateral adjustment, a; driven reel' adjustably supported 'ry the 'frame bar and cuttingapparatus supported adjacent to the lower por 13D I tion of the upgoing side of the reel; in combination with means adjustably supported adjacent to the upper portion of the downgoing side of the reel, said means constitutlng a guide way whereby the top portions of the stalks will be deflected with respect to the reel, said reel and deflecting means being materially tilted in an upward and rearward direction whereby the stalks of increasing length will gradually become disengaged rom the uide way and thrown in engagement with t e reel.

22. In a machine of the class described, a `frame structure including spaced side members, each having a superstructure, conveying means including co-acting driven chains carried 4by the' respective superstructures, a frame bar extending obliquely across the frame structure,v means for connecting the front end of v'the frame bar `with the frontend of the superstructure of one side member for verticaljand lateral adjustment, means for connecting the rear end, of the 4 f frame bar lwith the superstructure cf the lother sidemember lfor vertical and lateral adjustment, a driven reel adjustably supl y. `ported bythe frame bar and cutting apparatusisupported adjacentto the lower por- 7 tion of the upgoing side of the reel; in combination with a delector adjustably su ported adjacent to the upper portion of t e downgoing side of the reel, and a guiderail supported in spaced and approximately parallel relation to the downgoing side of the rail.

23. lIn a machine of the class described, a

frame structure includingjspaced side meml j to bers,`each havin a superstructure, conveying means inclu ing driven chains carried by the respective superstructures, said chains having co-acting innerjstretches for carrying stalks upwardly and rearwardly between @the vframe members and ltheir superstructures an obli uely driven' reel in j y and v,rearwardly with respect to 'the conveyingv means, cutting means co"l-a'cting. with thel reel "and Vdeileczting means Vveying means inclu ing driven chainsl carried by the respective'superstructures, said chains having cca-acting innerstretches for carrying stalks upwardly and rearwardly between the frame members and their superstructures, an obliquely disposed driven reel inclined upwardly and rearwardly with respect to the conveying means, cutting means co-acting with the reeland deflecting means i adjacent to the downgoing side c f the reel to hold the stalks from engagement with the reel for a given periodaccording to theV respective length of the stalks; in combination with a driven auxiliary conveyer chain supported above the reel in an oblique .positlon with respect to the frame structure.

25. In a machine of Lthe class described, a frame structure including spaced side members, each having a superstructure, conveying means including driven chains'carried b Y the respective superstructures, said cliains having co-acting inner stretches for carrying sta ks upwardly and rearwardly between the frame members and their superstructures, an obliquel disposed driven reel j inclined upwardly anv rearwardly with respect to the conveying means, cutting means co-acting with the reel and deflecting means adjacent to the downgoing side of the reel to hold the stalks from engagement with the reel for a given period according to the respective length of the stalks; in combination with a driven auxiliary conveyer chain f supported above the reel in an oblique position with respect to the frame structure,

said auxiliaryeconveyer chain having pron that project yond the deflecting meansa jacent to the reel.

In testimony, whereof I affixv myinature. .E.R.

RUDOLPH A. 

